So I feel I should start this post with a few pictures, since so many people have been asking what life here in Iraq is like.

I figure we'll lead off this exhibition with "the tube". Let's just say this one part of the two part waste management system here. And this little devil is the "wag bag holder". I think the image presents enough information. Ok now moving on to more appropriate photos.

First off I will talk about where I spend most of my time, namely the Combat Operations Center (COC). This first picture is of where the watch officer and the radio watch sit for 8 hour shifts. Here you see one of our Lt's and one of our armory custodians on a late 0300 watch.

This one is of the operations section, where I do a lot of the planning for future operations and the company's patrol intentions. Here you see me hard at work trying to develope a way to win at hearts in three hands (I swear I'm so close).

Now moving on to the area I don't spend nearly enough time, my berthing area. I live here with the other LT's, though I have been sure to section rack off with the indestructable poncho liner.

The room is actually a lot bigger than this picture makes you believe. I would say it's about 50% bigger than the room I had last year on boat and (as of yet) not nearly as hot.

On the rack you will see my flight suit hanging. I don't have any pictures of me in it as of yet, but needless to say it's pretty comfortable. You don't see it, but down to the right is my gear tree, made by our very own police Sgt. Don't worry, I do in fact put it on two to three times a week as I get outside the wire on various convoys and foot patrols. Not nearly as often as I would like, but such is the life of an XO.

Here you see the actual bed (by the way the pillow Ashley sent was like Christmas when I got it. You have no idea how hard it is to sleep night after night on a bunch of socks in a stuff sack).

This is a picture of our very own Doc Rodgers dead lifting 350 lbs (we don't call him the hulk for nothing). We have a spartan-esc gym that all the Marines use to try to work off steam when they aren't on patrol or on watch. It's small but for crossfit nuts like me, it works just fine. There is a group of us in head quarters platoon that do our best to get the workout of the day in regardless of our work hours. So far we've been pretty successful.

Here you will see the smoke pit/hooka bar/briefing area.

It goes to show you that if you give Marines a place to live, they will build a lot of stuff. This is also where our grill is. Every night you either bribe someone to cook you something up out here or....

You make your way up to the MWR room that has all the other chow. There isn't a terribly bountiful selection, but there is enough to get by on. Poptarts and cereal in the morning, a sandwhich maybe or a v8 for lunch, then whatever you feel like cooking in the microwave, skillet, or from the grill for dinner.

Also in the MWR room is the phones and the computers. There isn't too long of a line for either really, so you can usually get on right away (that is when the power doesn't go out).

No the middle computer isn't broken. Actually it's one of those new computers that projects the image into the next room, which is where the user of that computer is located with the absent keyboard...... No really..... I swear...... high speed...... not... broken....

AHEM... so anyway, here is the CO and 1st Sgt's office. This is where he does all his incredibly important CO type stuff that is so super secret I can't tell ANY of you. (especially you since I KNOW you are a spy). This is also where we do our key leader engagement with local officials and important type people. When the boss isn't around, this is also where I will take them to talk to them about why they shouldn't be offended talking to a lowly 1st Lt. Not really, actually the meetings have all gone really well when the CO isn't around. You can't see it in this picture, but the coffee tables all have dolphins on them. In fact Iraqi art and architecture likes to involve a lot of stuff having to do with the ocean and water. The irony does not illude many of you I am sure.

The last picture I have here is of an Iraqi Police poster that hangs on the stairwell going to the

second level. We live with Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police here in Rawah, and I left this picture for last because it really is the focus of our day to day missions. We work with these security forces to make sure that they can continue to make Iraq safe after we have left. I just kind of like this poster and what it represents.

Anyway this ends this post for now since it is 0430 here and I have watch soon. I will try to get more pictures of what outside the wire looks like sometime soon. If there is anything else you guys really want to know about or see, just let me know. I aim to please.